I know already that the top end sounds like crap for one reason or another but the truck is performing better that I could have asked for after putting in the new rings. My compression was all over the place. We had a little discission here about max. r.p.s. a while back and I had a hard time getting 4400 out of the beast...now is not a problem. I actually go there quite often these days. Would worn out valves give me a funky noise do you think? I didn't do a valve job simply because I didn't think of it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/sleeping.gif" alt="" />

Most valvetrain noise can be considered more of a clatter than a knock. One thing that may help is to keep in mind that a knock will occur at the same number of revolutions as the crank while valve noise occurs at a much higher frequency. Listen to the noise carefully at low idle and see if it sounds like it is knocking at the RPMS or much more often.

There are so many things this could be, and without hearing the knock it is hard to diagnose, especially with no poor running conditions. Keep digging, you will find it

One thing really bugs me about the bottom end noise that is pretty peculiar is that there is no noise at start-up. Almost sounds brandly new. Once it warms up though...sounds like I just changed the oil and forgot to re-fill it. Oh, one other strange thing is that every now and then, even when warm, it will quiet down for a spell.

Ok I am having a thought here....have you looked at your timing belt in awhile? Check the guides and belt tension. These can make some pretty nasty noises on their way out.

I once had a similar situation. Overtightened my valve lash, yes, I was very young. Ended up cracking an exhaust rocker arm. Sounded like a hammer beating on my exhaust manifold. Then I found this site. All well since <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />